The analysis looked at 207 studies involving more than 20,000 participants. The studies used a range of psychological treatments, such as psychotherapy, hospitalization, and psychiatric medications. Study measures of personality varied, but most studies involved questionnaires about personality traits before and after treatment.

People who received treatment had lower levels of neuroticism—a personality trait typically associated with emotional instability and mental health concerns such as anxiety, moodiness, and depression. They were also slightly more extroverted after treatment. In about 50 studies the report analyzed, researchers followed up with participants well after the original intervention. These studies found the personality changes continued, and they were not just a fleeting result during treatment.

The study’s authors point out personality is frequently treated as something that cannot be altered. If psychological treatment can introduce positive changes in personality, it may also provide lasting relief from a range of psychological symptoms.

Numerous studies demonstrate that hitting children harms them. One study analyzed more than 160,000 children and identified 17 distinct negative outcomes associated with hitting children as a form of punishment. A new study by researchers at Southern Methodist University suggests parents’ perceptions about physical discipline may depend on how it is described. Parents found “spanking” or “swatting” more acceptable than “hitting” or “beating.” The researchers suggest replacing the word “spank” with the word “assault” would change the perception and reduce the use of physical discipline on children.

Antidepressant use may increase the risk of hip fractures among aging adults with Alzheimer’s who still live in their communities, according to a study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychology. Researchers found antidepressant use was associated with a nearly doubled risk of hip fractures, particularly at the beginning of treatment. The increased risk persisted four years after treatment began.

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) uses common notions of racism to assess people’s implicit racist ideas. Relying on split-second reaction times to images and words, the test purports to uncover unconscious biases. However, research suggests the test may not effectively assess implicit racism. It is also unclear whether implicit racism—or some other factor, such as overt or structural racism—accounts for most racist incidents.

Although science buffs and space experts alike are increasingly interested in a mission to Mars, mental health concerns could delay such a mission. The isolation astronauts would face on a long mission could dramatically undermine their mental health. They would be away from loved ones for years. They would also be exposed to high levels of radiation, which could worsen both mental and physical health symptoms.

Children can be admitted, even without a parent, to PG-13 movies. However, the gun violence in these movies has exceeded gun violence in R-rated movies—which require a parent to attend with their child—since 2012. Researchers, who published their data in the journal Pediatrics, also found gun violence in top-grossing PG-13 movies more than doubled from 1985-2012.

The 26-year-old man who is being held in connection with the recent shooting at an airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, may have a history of mental health issues, according to an Associated Press report. Experts argue that mental health issues alone cannot explain violent actions. Most people with mental health diagnoses never harm anyone, and no mental health diagnosis is conclusively linked to a greater risk of violent behavior. According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, only 7.5% of 429 crimes committed by people with diagnosed mental health conditions were related to symptoms of those conditions.

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Oliver

January 13th, 2017 at
10:36 AM

That is a pretty concerning stat regarding antidepressants and hip fractures because I know so many people who are older who have to take them as a part of their daily medication. I don’t know if there would be some other options which would be available to them that doctors might want to try especially if they are going to be very susceptible to hip and bone issues to begin with.

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